Feeding hungry people one bowl at a time

Making bowls to make a difference

Empty Bowls of Owensboro, KY puts on an annual fundraising event, bringing together volunteers, students, sponsoring businesses and others from the surrounding area. “It is a wonderful opportunity to support those organizations in our community who are doing their part to end hunger,” says Tina Taylor, Empty Bowls of Owensboro, KY chairperson, sponsorship coordinator and EM Ford personal lines marketer.

Local potters, community members and school groups volunteer to craft raw materials — donated by Brescia University, individual potters and local businesses and organizations — into beautiful glazed ceramic bowls. More volunteers from the Owensboro area pitch in to donate their time, culinary talents and ingredients to cook up delicious soups for the event, while others donate items for the silent auction.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to support those organizations in our community who are doing their part to end hunger.”

– Tina Taylor, Empty Bowls of Owensboro, KY chairperson, sponsorship coordinator and EM Ford personal lines marketer

Participants purchase a ticket, choose a bowl, then enjoy the silent auction and a simple dinner of bread and soup. With choices like ham and bean, chili, chicken noodle, hoppin’ john, tortellini and at least one vegan option, there is something to fill every bowl and satisfy every belly. Proceeds from the dinner and silent auction are awarded to local food pantries and soup kitchens feeding the hungry in the community.

Doing their part to end food insecurity

Food insecurity is a critical barrier to health and well-being for hundreds of thousands of individuals and families in Kentucky. About 1 in 8 people in the state are facing hunger, according to Feeding America, a national hunger relief organization.

Concerned by these staggering rates, the staff at EM Ford insurance agency wanted to bring the numbers down. “We at EM Ford feel it’s important to make a difference for those in need and do our part to end food insecurity,” says Somer Weaver, EM Ford Director of Marketing and Empty Bowls of Owensboro, KY sponsorship co-coordinator.

“We at EM Ford feel it’s important to make a difference for those in need and do our part to end food insecurity.”

– Somer Weaver, EM Ford Director of Marketing and Empty Bowls of Owensboro, KY sponsorship co-coordinator

In addition to Weaver’s and Taylor’s roles on the committee, EM Ford staff support Empty Bowls in countless ways. They attend bowl-making events, put together silent auction gift baskets from items donated by employees, and have even filmed a video at their agency to help promote the organization.

A Make More Happen Award will help Empty Bowls of Owensboro, KY increase the funding they award to the organizations selected to benefit from this year’s event, on Oct. 26. Your vote could help this year’s Empty Bowls recipients — First Christian Church and King’s Table — feed the hungry, including elementary school students, refugees and seniors who are confined to their homes.

Help EM Ford win $10,000 for Empty Bowls of Owensboro, KY by clicking the vote button. Get them an extra vote by cheering them on in the comments below by Sept. 30, 2023.